The first annual Digby Area Health Service Charitable Foundation gala dinner was held on April 21. - Submitted

Digby General Hospital is now one step closer to having a new portable ultrasound machine for the emergency room.

Angela O’Neil and Phil Barrett, board members of the Digby Area Health Service Charitable Foundation, started planning for the first annual gala fundraiser dinner in December, with proceeds going towards the machine.

The event was held April 21 at the Annapolis Basin Conference Center and over 100 guests attended.

“It was a big success, we’re really happy with the turnout,” O’Neil said.

The official amount is still being calculated, but foundation members estimate the total earned from the fundraiser is close to $10,000. This includes a $3000 donation from Scotiabank.

Scotiabank Digby presented a $3000 cheque to the Digby Area Health Service Charitable Foundation.

The cost of the ultrasound machine is estimated to cost close to $53,000. Proceeds from the 2018 Richard Ellis golf tournament on June 27, will as well go towards helping with the cost of the machine.

The foundation works closely with the hospital and tries to help fundraise for any new equipment they need.

“We see the need more and more for new equipment, so we try and do what we can to help,” said O’Neil.

The ultrasound machine is something doctors at the hospital suggested they needed.

The gala dinner included a meal, local entertainment from the Fundy Pops, guest speaker Graham Steele and a silent auction with local products.

The Fundy Pops provided entertainment at the gala dinner.

The silent auction included a beehive from Manzer Apiray Inc., Sohma Natural products, Paintings by Lisa Wong, A print photo by Kelsey Raymond and a hand turned pen by Peter Ormerod.